Feel good blogs for a relaxing summer

Summer brings with it longer days and hopes for the future. For those of us with young ones in school, the end of July means the six week’s holiday. If you are able, this might mean some downtime for you and your family; to relax, recharge and explore. Opportunities to reconnect with people that you have missed seeing face to face for a while, and simply have fun. It doesn’t matter what your diary looks like for the rest of August, I wanted to reintroduce you to some of my feel-good blogs that will help you have a relaxing summer.

 

It’s no surprise that my clients are focusing on wellbeing, discussing opportunities to carve out activities that can inspire, relax and recharge. Whilst I would like to think you are an avid reader of this blog, patiently waiting for my weekly insight, I know that not everyone can access my articles each week. If you are newer to my world, and that of The Balance Collective, you might want a whistle-stop tour of the feel-good articles on the website.

 

From insight into human nature, ways to stay motivated, to daily check-in to help resilience, I think they helped me as much as I hope they help you. I am sharing with them for you, to see what resonates. If you have the opportunity to introduce even ONE of these tips, you may see the difference in your wellbeing. So, without future ado, here are some feel-good blogs, from The Balance Collective, for a relaxing summer.

 

A hopeful history by Rutger Bregman

The international bestseller, HumanKind (A Hopeful History)* has topped the charts of many books of the year lists. With such an intriguing topic, it’s no surprise. Its main premise is challenging the belief that human beings are intrinsically selfish and governed by self-interest. Across all disciplines, from psychology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, history, art and politics, a principle exists that humankind is innately self-centred. Rutger Bregman is proposing something opposite, reviewing generations of stories, studies and situations to present a new view; that we are kind and display altruism in ways you may not have perceived before. Read more here.

 

Why rest is essential to a career to enjoy

There is an assumption that when I am working with people on a career to enjoy not endure, and we talk about balance, it’s about productivity. The aim is to maximize the quantity AND quality of what you can achieve in a set period. To even create what is known as Big Fat Hair Audacious Goals (BFHAG). What may surprise you, is that I am probably the opposite of that. I encourage people to create their version of success, which, at times, is about simplification, rather than growth. One area that is often disregarded when it comes to careers is essential to achieving a balanced life. It’s unique to each person, can change across your life and situation, and can often be free. What is this magical thing? It is rest, and it is essential for creating a career to enjoy. Identify your idea rest here.

 

Why you need a Ta-Da List

In my humble opinion, parents are superheroes; they balance a list of duties as long as their arm, putting their hearts on their sleeves whilst often putting their own needs at the bottom of their to-do list. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know how important it is for our mental well-being to build in daily activities that support and build our resilience, so when things really hit the fan, you have the resources in place to bounce back. To work on this, the first step is an exercise in self-awareness, then you need to be able to create and use a useful ta-da list! Find out how here.

 

How to juggle work and kids (whilst It’s written for freelancers, we all could learn something!)

Whilst this was written in the depts of the third lockdown in (in Jan 2021), I still feel that “how to” within this list is useful for ALL self-employed people; many can also be used for those that are employed. Let’s not slip back into unhealthy work habits as 2021 proceeds, and take some of the lessons learned from this forced situation into our future. Want to find out more? Find the blog here.

 

Powerful podcasts for your wellbeing

You may have seen previous blogs where I shared the shows that have helped me personally and professionally, some of which I have been on too,  but today I wanted to share the recent specific episodes which have turned a real switch in my brain. Some have been educational, and some have been silly and a distraction, but all have helped me relax and take some time away from a world that can seem overwhelming and stressful at times. Have you heard any of them?

 

How to find your motivation

One way to relax is to understand you don’t have to be motivated, and on the go, ALL THE TIME. Just accepting that you have ups and downs in energy and drive can help you be gentler with yourself. However, if you are looking to understand what you need, then this blog can help.

Very simply, motivation is your drive and desire to achieve goals; day to day that is easy, as our goals are often a list of duties or routines. When it’s something you HAVE to do or the outcome is driven by someone else (client, boss or child), it can be easier to start. You have someone or something to hold you accountable; you can’t procrastinate, creating a list of excuses to push that to the end of your to-do list. However, for many of us, the wishes and dreams we have for our lives are only achieved if WE put our minds to it. No one will do it for us.

 

How to build your resilience routine

Last, but by no means least. I created a checklist of things that I knew I needed to add to my day during April 2020, which a year on, I am STILL very conscious about including. I have come to realize, paradoxically, relaxation often mentions taking action!

This is not about self-care, an often-misused phrase that gives us images of bubbles baths, but about filling up the resilience pot through creating a routine that focuses my attention on what I need! Because trust me, when they are not present, we feel it. For me, my behaviour changes: What will your routine include?

 

I’d love to know what you are doing to help yourself have a relaxing summer. Pop over to my Facebook Group and share your tips. The group has over 500 people who happen to be parents, looking to Create a Career to Enjoy. We’d love it if you can join us.